Heffernan said the new
video includes "plenty of wonder and amazement, including some insane
star trails, a beautiful milky way pass over the lakebed, and an
incredible pink desert aurora."

He added that "no special effects used, just the natural rotation of the earth's axis."

The
crew tried out some new time-lapse techniques, such as moonpainting the
foreground landscapes, and also some experiments merging regular
time-lapse footage with star trails. Sunchaser Pictures also offers up a cool, behind-the-scenes video on their Vimeo page.

They were also in luck and
caught an amazing pink aurora (seen at 1:36 and 2:22), which was caused
by a Coronal Mass Eruption solar event on March 17.

Heffernan suggests that viewers should "watch in HD with headphones on and the volume cranked, if you can."

Apr 26, 2013

If everyone seems happy in Yosemite National Park, it ought to be and probably is in most cases because of the spectacular beauty of a pristine wilderness.

But some visitors to the iconic California park are high on more than nature. They're on drugs.

According to an NBC Bay Area investigation, Yosemite boasts the highest number of drug arrests and citations per 100,000 visitors compared to other large national parks.

Malcolm Morgan, a camper from Larkspur, California, is quoted as saying: "We were comparing it to Disneyland. We see a lot more happy faces here in Yosemite than we did at Disneyland."

Yosemite receives about 3 million visitors per year. NBC reports that drug busts have increased 18% since 2007 and that last year park rangers arrested or cited 855 visitors for possession of drugs.

Most of those arrests occurred within the seven square miles of Yosemite Valley.

For the sake of comparison, there were 2,393 drug possession arrests in Yosemite in from 2010 through 2012. There were 500 in Yellowstone National Park; and only 365 in Grand Canyon National Park.

Yosemite Deputy Chief Ranger Julie Byerly said she thinks most of the drug users are "largely folks that are coming and going," and not serious nature lovers. She does not believe Yosemite has a drug problem.

Said United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng, who tries federal drug cases in a courthouse in Yosemite Valley: "It’s been primarily marijuana, mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and then the party drug--ecstasy."

Seng implied that the problem stems from a drug culture existing among certain groups that visit the park from nearby communities. Yosemite Valley is easily accessible and receives most of the park's visitor traffic.

It should be stressed that visitors are not likely to experience shady dealings or drug-related problems. It's also worth noting that this iconic park is much bigger than Yosemite Valley; it boasts nearly 1,200 square miles of scenic valleys, meadows, great trees, rivers and waterfalls.

But if you happen to be in Yosemite Valley and that crisp scent of pine is temporarily interrupted by something far more pungent, well, you'll have a pretty good idea what you're smelling.

Apr 25, 2013

Encountering a pod of killer whales engaged in a savage assault on sperm whales would generate the thrill of a lifetime for most maine mammal enthusiasts. But imagine the adrenaline rush produced by witnessing this raw spectacle from underwater.

Shawn Heinrichs did just that during a recent expedition off Sri Lanka. He and five others had been searching for eight days for blue whales, unsuccessfully. Then they spotted a commotion in the distance, and soon realized they were witnessing an event few others had seen or photographed.

When they got closer, and could hear the thrashing of whales and pounding of their tails, Heinrichs clutched his cameras and jumped overboard.

"We had no idea what was going to happen to him and we hoped for the best," said his brother, Brett. "When I saw he wasn’t eaten, I jumped in after him.”

To be sure, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Heinrich, a cinematographer and founder of Blue Sphere Media, made the most of it.

Though the underwater footage is compelling, some of the above-surface
images illustrate the apparent anguish among the six or seven sperm
whales under assault, in what was an attempt by the killer whales to
separate a juvenile sperm whale from the pod.

(Killer whales are supreme predators and off California and Alaska are notorious for killing gray whale calves in this same manner: by separating calves from their mothers in what is typically a coordinated but drawn-out process.)

Heinrich was with Brett and four others when they spotted the commotion.

"As we drew closer it quickly came into focus," Heinrich states in his
blog and in the video footage. "A huge dorsal fin cut the surface and changed into a logjam of
rolling long dark shapes. Almost in unison we shouted, 'Orcas attacking
sperm whales!' I had never heard of such a thing and certainly never
imagined I would see it with my own eyes."

There seemed to be five killer whales, or orcas, versus perhaps six sperm whales, which were postured in a defensive position throughout a coordinated assault by much swifter mammals.

Heinrichs was first to jump in and wondered "if I would become easy prey for the most formidable predators in the ocean." (Killer whales have never been documented attacking a human in the wild.)

The largest of the killer whales turned and approached this strange intruder.

"I had heard warnings before about the extreme dangers of swimming with transient orcas, especially when these apex predators are engaged in a hunt," Heinrichs wrote. "But in my heart I knew they were highly intelligent and evolved creatures who 'should' have no interest in hurting me."

It became too difficult to keep up with the action in the water so Heinrichs and the others climbed back aboard and followed with the boat as the killer whales ultimately claimed what they were after: the younger sperm whale.

If anyone was rooting for the sperm whales there was hope, as it was unclear to the crew whether the killer whales claimed the juvenlie sperm whale as their next meal.

“We observed the family of sperm whales regroup and charge eastward as the orcas briefly gave chase then peeled off. And then it was all over,” Heinrich concluded. “For me, this was without a doubt the most incredible encounter I had ever experienced in the oceans, and something I will never forget.”

In support of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas
Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's
weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:

Question: I am a conservation advocate and an avid wildlife photographer. Over the last several years, I have been photographing birds and landscape views of Southern California’s wildlife areas. I am interested in expanding this documentation with video, and in particular aerial video taken from a remote-controlled electric helicopter. While I am very aware of the need to not disturb or harass local wildlife, I am wondering if there are regulations that restrict or prohibit the use of RC-aircraft in or around the perimeter of ecological reserves and conservation areas? (Bill K.)

Answer: There is no general prohibition against using radio-controlled "vehicles" in wildlife areas (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 550). However, in ecological reserves, prohibitions against: 1) disturbing any bird, mammal, etc.; 2) operating vehicles; and 3) operating any type of aircraft or hovercraft without permission may apply (CCR Title 14, sections 630(a)(1) & (a)(4) and (a)(17)). There is also a provision that prohibits the use of any motorized, hot-air, or unpowered aircraft or other device capable of flight or any earth orbiting imaging device to locate or assist in locating big game mammals beginning 48 hours before and continuing 48 hours after any big game hunting season in the same area (CCR Title 14, section 251(a)). In addition, a permit could be required if there are concerns your aircraft will " … herd or drive… or disrupt animal’s normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to breeding, feeding or sheltering …"

Please contact the Regional Manager for the area you intend to visit for information on the application of these laws. For a list of contact numbers available, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/.

Q: My husband and I are residents of both Humboldt and Sutter counties. We occasionally dive for abalone in Humboldt where we live. If we don’t consume them right away, we freeze them whole in the shell as the local game warden advised us years ago. I also work for a nonprofit hospice in Sutter County and they are having a fundraiser in May at a private house, where many of our staff will prepare appetizers for 100 guests. I want to prepare abalone appetizers from three abalone that we already have tagged and frozen from last season. The event is being professionally catered for the meal and dessert and so they are selling tickets, but no one is paying for or making money from the abalone I want to cook. The abalone is such a minuscule part of the meal. I just want to make sure I am allowed to bring it to an event like this and I was not able to find anything specific about that in the regulations. Please advise. Thank you. (Amy M., RN)

Apr 24, 2013

Confrontations between motorists and bicyclists are not uncommon, but rarely do they escalate beyond a heated argument. And when they do, they're not often videotaped by a surveillance camera.

The accompanying footage shows a situation that clearly got out of hand, with the driver turning around in an alley, ramming the bicyclist with the car and dragging him several feet backward before taking off.

And the Beverly Hills Police Department, which posted the video this week on its Vimeo page, is trying to locate the driver of the car: a BMW 328i, perhaps 2008 or later. The incident occurred April 3 in an alley between Wetherly and Almont drives.

"The driver intentionally rammed the bicyclist with his vehicle pinning him to a metal rolling trash bin," the department stated in a news release.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the bicyclist, who was not seriously injured, told police that he had fought with the driver earlier in the day.

"The bicyclist punched the driver in the face," police said, and the driver "threatened to kill the victim and follow him" into the alley, in which the footage was captured via surveillance camera.

The driver of the BMW is described as a white or Middle Eastern male in his mid-30s, with dark hair and a slim build.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Eric Hyon at (310) 285-2156.

Apr 23, 2013

In news sure to please skiers and snowboarders, June Mountain in the Eastern Sierra will re-open for the 2013-14 winter season.

The resort, which is owned by Mammoth Mountain 30 miles to the south, was closed this past winter for financial reasons. It was losing money and Mammoth was hurting financially because of slow business caused by poor snowfall and a struggling economy.

But what a difference a year makes.

Last June, Mammoth CEO Rusty Gregory stated in a news release: "June has operated at an annual deficit each year since its purchase in 1986. It is time to invest some of this subsidy into the analysis and planning required to position the resort for a sustainable future, then secure the approvals and financing required to create it."

On Tuesday Carl Williams, general manager at June, stated: "We couldn’t be more pleased to announce that June Mountain will be back in operation for the 2013-14 season.

"Next winter we look forward to bringing skiers and snowboarders a great on-mountain experience while also planning for June’s future, including the possibility of a new lift and enhanced snowmaking."

There were few details offered and and the long-term strategic plan for June Mountain has yet to be finalized. It probably will be announced in early summer.

But for skiers and boarders the only important news is that this remote hidden gem of a resort will again open its slopes. The opening is slated for mid-December.

Mammoth currently has eight lifts operating and will remain open at least through Memorial Day weekend.

A juvenile humpback whale that had become stranded in shallow water in La Paz Bay was rescued Sunday by authorities and citizens who used a rope and boats to pull the cetacean into deeper water.

According to Octavo Dia,
the rescue effort lasted two-plus hours and the whale seemed to swim
freely away despite the long and very dramatic ordeal.

(The accompanying Cabovision video shows part of the rescue effort, including the whale being pulled from the shoal. It does not show the whale swimming to freedom.)

"The effort followed the protocol for marine mammal rescue," Octavo Dia reported. "The struggle
to save the whale lasted over two hours, but the successful results
incited elated uproar in the concerned witnesses."

The whale had become stranded beyond El Coromuel Beach during low tide. El Coromuel is north of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. Among those assisting in the rescue effort were members of a local stranding network.

Jonathan Roldan, who runs the Tailhunter International sportfishing business in La Paz, posted this statement along with four photos on its Facebook page:

"Hope you got to see this yesterday. It was incredible. About 30 pangas and launches out there trying to help this stranded whale right off the beach on one of the shoals. Folks were lined up in the streets with cameras and binoculars."

Apr 22, 2013

Brett Heinrichs on Sunday uploaded rare video footage showing killer whales attacking a pod of sperm whales to get to one of its calves. (Video posted above; not for the squeamish.)

The footage was shot from a boat during a recent expedition off Sri Lanka, but some of of the crew jumped in during this dramatic predation event.

"Our hearts pounded as we watched the orcas tear into these sperm whales many times their size," said Shawn Heinrichs, Brett's brother and founder of Blue Sphere Media. "When
I garnered the courage to jump into the water and join the frenzy, all
eyes fixed on me, wondering if I would become easy prey for these
formidable apex predators."

The underwater footage has not yet been released. Shawn Heinrichs, however, said he was approached by two male killer whales and captured several close passes.

Killer whales, or orcas, are merciless predators and when targeting whales they usually work as a team to separate a calf from its mother and, in this case, the rest of the pod.

Brett Heinrichs wrote in the comments section of his video:

"I believe the orcas killed the youngest calf. We saw six sperm whales upon arrival and five eventually left the scene. At one point we saw the youngest calf separated from the pod and being hammered by orcas."

Apr 19, 2013

In support of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
and its effort to keep hunters and anglers informed, Pete Thomas
Outdoors, on Thursday or Friday, posts marine biologist Carrie Wilson's
weekly California Outdoors Q&A column:

Question: While bow-hunting for turkeys last week, I saw a flock of hens and jakes on the side of a highway and I got to wondering if it’s legal to hunt off the side of a highway. I know we can’t shoot across a highway, but exactly how many yards or feet away does a bow-hunter have to be? (Rafael O.)

Answer: It is unlawful to discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt over or across any public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner (Fish and Game Code, section 3004(b)). Definitions for road and roadway can be found in the California Vehicle Code, sections 527 and 530. In addition, most counties have ordinances setting the distance from a public roadway that one must be to lawfully discharge a firearm. Many counties require 150 feet, but this distance varies and you will have to check with the appropriate county’s sheriff’s department to determine the legal distance. It is always unlawful to negligently discharge a firearm, and the discharge of a firearm from or upon a public road or highway is prohibited (California Penal Code, section 374c).

Q: I recently acquired a hand reel (Cuban yoyo). Are there any restrictions on using one? What part of the Fish and Game Code applies to their usage? (Will E.)

A: Yes, these basic hand-held reels are legal to use. Just add some line, tie on your hook, add bait, drop in your line and you’re fishing. It doesn’t get much easier or less expensive than this method. Standard methods apply, so if you are fishing in inland waters (three hooks with bait or three lures with three hooks each) or fishing in the ocean for rockfish (two hooks), you need to follow the hook restrictions as if you had a rod attached. If you do happen to hook a big fish, just be sure you’ll be able to land it!

Q: Can you please clarify the starry flounder regulations in saltwater vs. freshwater? I know that flounder are included in the rockfish-cabezon-greenling regulations in saltwater, with limits and a definite season. However, when they move upstream (east) of the Carquinez Bridge into inland waters, do the same regulations still apply? Or, may they be taken year-round with no limit as they are not mentioned in the freshwater regulations? (Barbara U.)

"It was without a doubt one of the most exhilarating things that I have ever done," Nuttall said of her catch. "I fish a lot back home in Australia. Although I have caught many sharks, ono, and ahi here at home, I have spent the last few years chasing my elusive first marlin."

Van Mols was hired specifically to find a blue marlin for Nuttall, and he knew that the fish weighed at least 900 pounds when it jumped soon after striking the lure.
"She was kind of in shock," he said of the angler's response to such an impressive sight.

"We usually let our marlin go but we were prepared to take a fish if we knew it had a shot at a record. So we got our flying gaffs out."

The marlin was subdued with flying gaffs and hauled aboard by crewman J.D. Hudson, Durham and Van Mols.

"It was a task dragging a huge marlin like that through the [vessel's] back door with only four people, but we managed," Nuttall said. "The feeling that we may have gotten the world record only sunk in on our way back to the harbor. I don't remember ever feeling the sort of happiness that I was feeling at that point."

An IGFA representative questioned Nuttall at the marina and her catch has been submitted for world record consideration.

She won't know for at least a few weeks whether she'll be credited with the record, but Van Mols said IGFA rules were adhered to during the fight.

Of Nuttall he added: "She did an outstanding job. She's a strong girl with good strong legs."

The captain said the marlin did not go to waste. "The front half of the fish was molded by a local taxidermist to make a head mount for Alex, and the back half was sold for marlin jerky," he said.

The Kona coast is famous for its big blue marlin and several weighing 500 pounds or more have been caught during the spring. The action usually picks up during the summer, Van Mols said, but the larger fish become harder to find.